koori court page 1

1991 The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991) recommended that the legal system be modified. As to give Aboriginals communities as living in remote arrears who’s life style, culture and laws, alienating them from fully understanding of english language, reading and the technical legal language use in the legal system.

1996 The Aboriginal Embassy of Victoria (AEV) wrote to all known Aboriginal organisation in Victoria, to bring to the attention of the Aboriginal Elders, members of their community, that doubt over the Victoria Government power to make laws for peace order and good Government for the Indigenous people of Victoria. Confirmed by Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee E.O. Helen M Mason on 26 August 1996.

2000. The Department of Justice and others in a joint initiative between Department of Justice, Department of Human Services, the Victoria Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Victorian with the Koori (Aboriginal) community, launched the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement: Phase 1 (AJA) , It’s purpose to build infrastructure that hoped it would assist in reducing Indigenous over-representation in the criminal system.

2002 The Koori Court was established under the Magistrates Court (Koori Court) Act 2002,
(being based on the report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991) and the Bringing Them Home Report.) Subsequently been incorporated into the magistrates Court Act 1989 (the Act), However this raised grave concerns that the power to protect the people was being to far removed from the peoples elected Parliament

2004 the AJA was reviewed and in a joint initiative between Department of Justice, Department of Human Services, Victoria Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, and Aboriginal Legal Service, recommend that they renew the commitment to the agreement. Resulting in the development of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 2 (AJA2)

2006 June Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 2 (AJA2) came into being, to build upon the solid foundations of the AJA. The AJA2 outlines six strategies, (a) Increasing the number of Koori Courts (b) Establishing Local Justice Action Committees (LAJAC) It role and responsibility is to "promote the principles and protocols of the Victorian Justice Agreement (AJA)" " identify barriers and solutions to improve Justice outcomes for the Koori community and the development of a strategic Justice plan.( as well as other issues)

The Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC) is an initiative of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement and is based on Recommendation 2 of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Funded by the Department for Justice, Each RAJACs (seven in all) Membership of RAJAC is voluntary, However each region is assisted by a paid Executive Officer.

2008 April 24 Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls has launched an initiative that will support Koori offenders to complete their community-based orders. The program is an initiative of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement The State Government had allocated $2.1 million to operate the program in the 10 locations Towns and cities were chosen based on the daily average number of Koori offenders reporting to Community Corrections Services offices in each regions